Should I let sleeping Lizards lie?

[Elsiemoomin]

I've had my two easterns about a month now. They're about four months old.

The problem i'm having, is that every single morning, I have to wake my lizards up and put them close to their basking spots. I've tried leaving them, on three separate occasions, and they haven't moved a muscle all day. It is winter here so could they be trying to Brumate? My temperatures are perfect above the aspen, but I don't have heating for the bottom and they usually sleep burrowed down under the aspen against the cold ply, could this be making them too cold? When I uncover them in the morning as soon as they heat up, they spend the whole day roaming and burrowing around the cage, the eat nearly every day and are pooping normal and they've both shed over the last week, and they seem happy and alert (minus having to have a daily wakeup call). Should I just leave them alone and let them sleep? Or should I get heating for under my terrarium? Help!

[Carnivale]

If it's winter and they're brumating, I'm pretty sure you can just leave them be other than feeding.

[starscream3232]

I would consider getting under the tank heat. My 4 babies sleep a lot on the heat pad side at night. When the lights come on in the morning they are very active roaming all over the place.

[chartreuse_lynne]

Mine does the same thing, except it's summer here so I know the temps aren't low enough for brumation. Will it hurt him to just let him sleep? He burrows under the substrate, so I don't even know if he notices the lights being turned on.

[Elsiemoomin]

If it's winter and they're brumating, I'm pretty sure you can just leave them be other than feeding.

I don't think you're supposed to feed them if they're brumating though, the food can rot in their stomachs because they aren't under the heat to digest it.

[Elsiemoomin]

Mine does the same thing, except it's summer here so I know the temps aren't low enough for brumation. Will it hurt him to just let him sleep? He burrows under the substrate, so I don't even know if he notices the lights being turned on.

I think that's the same with mine, they sleep in the cold and dark and don't seem to realise when its hotter and light. Waking them up daily hasn't affected mine, and i'm only 1 week away from spring here so I don't think it's proper brumation for them. They're happy and normal enough other than that.

[Elsiemoomin]

I would consider getting under the tank heat. My 4 babies sleep a lot on the heat pad side at night. When the lights come on in the morning they are very active roaming all over the place.

I thought that might be my best solution, because they sleep under all the substrate they don't notice the lights come on and the temp increase. Usually I just uncover them and they're good to go.

[jdheff1982]

I would consider getting under the tank heat. My 4 babies sleep a lot on the heat pad side at night. When the lights come on in the morning they are very active roaming all over the place.

I thought that might be my best solution, because they sleep under all the substrate they don't notice the lights come on and the temp increase. Usually I just uncover them and they're good to go.

That's because they are brumating! I bet you they notice the lights more than they lead on. Leave them alone, don't feed, and just let them be. They will come out of brumation on their own. Brumation is something we really shouldn't interfere with. It's basically the same thing as hibernation for all the other non-reptile animals.

[Richard.C]

does sound like they may be trying to brumate in cool area of cage

if u still have a warm spot available it might pay to check on them fairly often to make sure they arent losing condition,brumating indoors can have issues if its still warm enough to prevent a full shut down but not warm enough to eat,younger ones especiallu can lose condition fast

my suggestion is check your cage temps ,basking spot temps and all the way down to cool end temps,if cool ends low enough and they stay in cool zone there normally ok but always a good idea to keep an eye on them

if you want them active and feeding u may need to boost temps,accuratly measuring your temp gradients and basking spot temps will help get it up to par

[Scotts1au]

If they have been feeding at all recently then you can't allow them to cool. I'd suggest sticking to your routine at the moment but don't feed them, after a fortnight, then allow them to wake normally in Spring.

[Elsiemoomin]

does sound like they may be trying to brumate in cool area of cage

if u still have a warm spot available it might pay to check on them fairly often to make sure they arent losing condition,brumating indoors can have issues if its still warm enough to prevent a full shut down but not warm enough to eat,younger ones especiallu can lose condition fast

my suggestion is check your cage temps ,basking spot temps and all the way down to cool end temps,if cool ends low enough and they stay in cool zone there normally ok but always a good idea to keep an eye on them

if you want them active and feeding u may need to boost temps,accuratly measuring your temp gradients and basking spot temps will help get it up to par

They are active and feeding normally, pooping normally and shedding normally, all my temps are good its just the plywood bottom under the aspen that im worried about being too cold.

[Elsiemoomin]

If they have been feeding at all recently then you can't allow them to cool. I'd suggest sticking to your routine at the moment but don't feed them, after a fortnight, then allow them to wake normally in Spring.

They've eaten pretty much every day, they had two live snails each today and were very happy. It's like 8 days away from spring, by the time i've stopped feeding them for two weeks, it will already be spring. They're really happy, healthy and active, aside from having to be woken up.

[Elsiemoomin]

I would consider getting under the tank heat. My 4 babies sleep a lot on the heat pad side at night. When the lights come on in the morning they are very active roaming all over the place.

I thought that might be my best solution, because they sleep under all the substrate they don't notice the lights come on and the temp increase. Usually I just uncover them and they're good to go.

That's because they are brumating! I bet you they notice the lights more than they lead on. Leave them alone, don't feed, and just let them be. They will come out of brumation on their own. Brumation is something we really shouldn't interfere with. It's basically the same thing as hibernation for all the other non-reptile animals.

They aren't in Brumation. The only thing that suggests that is the fact they don't like waking up. Once awake, they are eating properly and active ALL day, including burrowing and foraging and basking. They aren't lethargic at all. If they were properly Brumating they would be off food and not nearly as active.

[jdheff1982]

They aren't in Brumation. The only thing that suggests that is the fact they don't like waking up. Once awake, they are eating properly and active ALL day, including burrowing and foraging and basking. They aren't lethargic at all. If they were properly Brumating they would be off food and not nearly as active.

It's winter in New Zealand, right? Then it's brumation time for your reptiles. That's why they aren't eager to get up when you want them to. Skinks can pick up on ques for when the seasons change. IMO, if they are wanting to brumate, let them. You can't force them to do what they are programmed to do. You can keep the "perfect" temps and that won't stop them from brumating. I tried this last winter and I couldn't prevent my guy from it. It's part of their natural cycle. On top of that, my heater was running constantly trying to maintain +70 degrees due to the frigid winter. I had to back it off to 68 degrees F just to conserve my energy bill. Barely saw my skink for the 3 months he slept.

IMO, I say shut 'em down and let them do their thing. They won't starve to death during their brumation; so, there is nothing to worry about. Some reptiles are known to completely freeze during the winter and once spring rolls around and thaws them out, they're alive and well.

[Scotts1au]

I'm not sure that this thread was really asking a question, mmmm. Good luck with your blueys but I'm locking this thread.